NBA Picks & Predictions for Sunday, March 20, 2011
By Nate Steele
(The Spread) - Can the Golden State Warriors win on the road Sunday night or will it be more of the same at the Dallas Mavericks?
The Dallas Mavericks are 48-21 overall and 24-11 in home contests. Dallas is currently third in the Western Conference playoff race. The Golden State Warriors are 30-39 overall and 9-25 in road contests. Golden State is 12th in the conference, 7.5 games out of the final playoff spot.
Oddsmakers and online sports book Bodog.com has made Dallas a 9.5-point favorite in the matchup, while the over-under is set at 213. According to the latest trends, the Warriors are 24-11-1 ATS in the last 36 meetings. The road team is 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings. The Warriors are 2-5 ATS in their last seven versus the NBA Southwest. The Mavericks are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Dallas is just 5-5 in its last 10, but one of those wins was a 112-106 victory Wednesday at Golden State. The Warriors are 4-6 in their last 10 games and have lost the last three.
Monta Ellis is one of the league's top scorers at 24.5 ppg and he had 26 in the previous loss to the Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 23.3 ppg for the Mavericks and scored 34 Wednesday versus the Warriors.
Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks, 7:30PM EST (View Matchup)
NBA Free Pick: While there is maybe somewhat of a revenge factor in this one for the Warriors as they have a loss earlier in the week to Dallas to remember, let's be reasonable. The Warriors have not won a road game in their last five tries and most recently lost by double digits to both Sacramento and Phoenix. Not exactly the strongest of opponents. Golden State feeds off the energy of its home crowd and when it isn't there, it can quickly become a mediocre team. Dallas has not exactly been stellar as of late, but I think it is a team that is itching to play a strong game after losing to rival San Antonio at home in its last game. Look for the Mavericks to rebound with a top-notch performance.
SUNDAY NBA FREE PICK: DALLAS MAVERICKS -9.5